Wen Ran didn't look at Cheng Jia. Her clear, bright eyes were fixed on Mo Xiuchen. He brushed past the topic lightly, but his words still sent a shock through her heart. For some reason, they reminded her of a recurring dream she had had since childhood.
There was a boy in her dreams—she didn't know how old he was, and his face was always blurred. In the dream, she called out for him to run, while he told her that he would come back for her...
"Did something happen to you when you were a child?"
Mo Xiuchen curled his lips slightly, as if he didn't want to continue the conversation. "Let's eat first. If you really want to know, I'll tell you later."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Kai picked up his chopsticks and said with a smile, "Wen Ran, I know everything about Xiuchen. If you want to know, I can tell you later."
Wen Ran wasn't particularly eager to know; she had only asked out of concern. Hearing their responses, she smiled faintly and nodded. Just as she was about to speak, a deep, angry voice rang through the hall from a nearby table:
"I'd rather stay single forever than accept you, Bai Xiaoxiao!"
Startled, she turned her head and saw Xiao Yuting storming away from his seat, while the beautiful woman dining with him had already walked to the door.
At the table, Bai Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her face pale as she stared fixedly in the direction he had left.
Wen Ran's heart tightened. She withdrew her gaze and turned to Mo Xiuchen beside her. "You all eat first. I'll go check on Xiaoxiao."
"Miss Wen, is that lady your friend? What happened to her?"
Cheng Jia looked at Wen Ran with an expression of surprise and confusion, voicing her curiosity.
Wen Ran had just risen from her seat when she heard Cheng Jia's question. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze swept over Cheng Jia indifferently without answering.
Not only their table but the entire restaurant had likely heard Xiao Yuting's harsh declaration about never accepting Bai Xiaoxiao. Even if Cheng Jia were truly naïve, she should have understood what had happened.
Her question, in Wen Ran's ears, was even more hateful than direct mockery.
"Go ahead. I'll take care of the bill for that table later."
Mo Xiuchen nodded and spoke warmly. Xiao Yuting had left in anger, most likely without paying the bill.
Grateful, Wen Ran whispered, "Thank you," and quickly walked over to Bai Xiaoxiao's table. She saw that Bai Xiaoxiao was staring blankly at the door, her eyes lifeless. Wen Ran frowned slightly and called out gently, "Xiaoxiao."
At the sound of her voice, Bai Xiaoxiao slowly lifted her head. Her usually bright eyes were now filled with sorrow, pain, and a deep sense of finality. She tried to force a reassuring smile at Wen Ran but failed.
"Xiaoxiao, let's leave here first."
Wen Ran reached out and pulled Bai Xiaoxiao up from her chair. Bai Xiaoxiao's face changed slightly as she looked down and opened her purse. "I haven't paid the bill yet."
"You don't have to. Mo Xiuchen will take care of it."
As she spoke, Wen Ran glanced over at Mo Xiuchen's table. He was talking to a waiter. Sensing her gaze, he looked up and nodded at her, silently reassuring her that the bill was settled.
In the parking lot, after getting into the car, Bai Xiaoxiao could no longer hold back her tears. They spilled uncontrollably from her eyes as she threw herself into Wen Ran's arms, sobbing.
"Ranran, am I pathetic? I know Xiao Yuting doesn't love me, yet I still insist on running toward him like a moth to a flame. I should have let go long ago..."
Wen Ran's heart clenched tightly.
She had known Bai Xiaoxiao for twelve years and had only seen her cry three times—every single time because of Xiao Yuting.
What did it truly feel like to love someone deeply? Wen Ran didn't understand.
Her past relationship with Mo Zixuan had been the result of his year-long pursuit. She had developed some fondness for him, maybe even a slight attraction, but it was nothing like Bai Xiaoxiao's relentless obsession with Xiao Yuting.
Mo Zixuan's "betrayal" was insignificant compared to the pain of losing her parents. At this moment, listening to Bai Xiaoxiao's sorrow, Wen Ran didn't know how to comfort her. She simply patted her back gently, letting her warmth convey her care.
After crying and pouring out her feelings, Bai Xiaoxiao wiped her eyes and said, "Ranran, I'm fine now. You should go back to the restaurant and find Mo Xiuchen."